The Day People of Chad, Africa

The Day (pronounced DYE) community resides around the city of Sarh in southwest Chad and number nearly 50,000 people. Originally from the East, their ancestors discovered good territory for hunting and cultivating and settled there. To this day, the Day people primarily farm, though some also work in factories and government positions. Fifty-eight percent of the population profess Christianity, 34% of whom claim to be evangelical, while 35% follow Islam, and a much smaller 7% adhere to animism.

Day Bible Translation

The gospel first arrived in the region through the efforts of Baptist Mid-Missions missionary Paul Metzler. Although a German missionary completed the first Day New Testament in 1989, the Day people had difficulty understanding the text because of its paraphrased translation work. Meanwhile, BMM missionaries began working with Day believers to translate the New Testament in 1983. Bibles International gained ownership of this New Testament work and adopted the Day project in 1989.

The dedication of the completed Day New Testament was held in Sarh, Chad on December 5, 1999. Former BI director Fred Carlson, who had led the New Testament translation to its completion, preached to about 2,000 attendees, including many national and local government representatives. The Day believers received the translation with great enthusiasm.

With the completion of the New Testament, the translation work has focused on the Old Testament. Many BI consultants and Day translators have worked steadily and tirelessly throughout the years to bring the complete Bible to the Day people. Final checks on the Old Testament are being completed, and the Bible will be formatted. The Day Bible will then be printed and shipped to southern Chad, where the Day community will dedicate its use to the Lord. This dedication is expected in 2026.

Day Literacy

Along with the translation process, BI has worked with the Day people in the area of literacy through the publication of two primers, the first in 1992 and the second in 1994. Completely sold out of the first printings, both primers passed through revisions and reprinting in 2013. Before BI's involvement, only an estimated 20% of the Day people could read their language. The literacy improvement efforts have produced an estimated 70% literacy rate among the Day speakers.

Day Prayer Requests

• Pray for the final stage of the Day Bible project, specifically that the Bible will be printed correctly, shipped securely, received in country without delay or opposition, and distributed among the Day people.
• Pray for the Bible dedication service which will be attended by a large number of believers and unbelievers.
• Pray for God to work mightily among the Day community through the power of His translated Word!